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What is NYC AC § 16-316.5?

Quick Answer

This section mandates the commissioner to submit a zero waste plan by January 1, 2024, and annual progress reports starting October 1, 2024. The plan aims to increase waste diversion through reduction, reuse, and recycling strategies. Applies to city agencies involved in waste management and building owners in residential and commercial sectors.

General informational summary. Not legal advice for your situation. Consult an attorney before acting on any specific matter.

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§ 16-316.5 Zero waste plan and report.

AC § 16-316.5

a. On or before January 1, 2024, the commissioner shall submit to the mayor, the speaker of the council, the district manager of each community board, and each citizens’ solid waste advisory board as defined in section 16-317, and make publicly available online, a plan to achieve the goal of zero waste pursuant to section 16-144 and to increase waste diversion from landfill and incineration through waste reduction, reuse, and recycling. b. On or before October 1, 2024, and annually thereafter, the commissioner shall submit to the mayor, the speaker of the council, the district manager of each community board, and each citizens’ solid waste advisory board as defined in section 16-317, and make publicly available online, a report on the city’s progress toward the goal of achieving zero waste pursuant to section 16-144 and toward increasing waste diversion from landfill and incineration through waste reduction, reuse, and recycling. c. The plan and reports required by this section shall include, but need not be limited to: 1. Annual waste disposal and diversion targets, disaggregated by waste stream, including any expected changes to diversion rates as a result of any new or discontinued programs, market conditions, or other factors, and the methodology used to arrive at such waste disposal and diversion targets; 2. Diversion rates for recyclable and organic material collected curbside by the department, disaggregated by material and community district, where feasible; 3. Diversion rates for recyclable and organic material that are not collected curbside, disaggregated by material; 4. A description of how the department will increase diversion rates, including but not limited to strategies to increase diversion for each material; 5. A description of education and outreach programs available to the public and strategies to improve such education and outreach programs; 6. A description of initiatives to increase diversion in residential buildings and buildings owned or operated by the New York city housing authority, in commercial establishments, and in the construction and demolition sector; 7. A list of materials that are not easily diverted from landfill or incineration, and strategies for eliminating such materials from the waste stream; 8. An analysis of the economic market for each recyclable material; 9. An analysis of current processing capacity for recyclable materials, disaggregated by material stream; 10. An analysis of disposal capacity and prices at disposal facilities used by the department and by designated carters as defined in section 16-1000; 11. A description of initiatives to increase diversion of materials disposed of in public litter baskets, public recycling bins, and public organics bins, including those located in parks and transit facilities; 12. A description of initiatives to increase the reuse of materials that would otherwise be disposed of; and 13. Recommendations on new or updated strategies, policies, and programs to achieve the goal of zero waste established in section 16-144. (L.L. 2023/087, 7/9/2023, eff. 7/9/2023)

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